Backporch (2006)

Amazing as you

Said that I was,

Still you asked of

Me to wait here for you.

And strangely enough,

That's just what I do--

Like a little lapdog,

Unaware of anything at all,

I stand and wait,

Just there at the base,

For this ivory tower to fall.

And just then,

I see into the blinds,

With my own eyes,

As plan as any sin:

You are not mine,

But you are his.

And now?

I'm still waiting on your back

Porch

I'm still carrying that

Torch--

And how...

There was no At last,

Now you're all mine;

Only you weren't at all mine.

And, well, that's just a fact,

As elementary as nursery rhyme;

If you want the truth--

It was in the way

Your brown eyes

Became more alive,

And alighted in ways they

Never had, night or day,

When staring into mine.

And pathetic as it sounds,

My soul still aches

For that very day

I know will never resound;

When you light up that way

When staring into my face.

And so,

I'm still waiting on your back

Porch.

I'm still carrying that

Torch--

Just know.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is a playful & creative way to present the old heartbreak themes. Since there are so many predictable heartbreak poems, I'm always glad to find one that has some sense of sparkling novelty. This reminds me of one time when I called an old ex-boyfriend & he said "wait a minute" explaining he cut his finger & needed to put a bandage on it. I waited & waited, but he never came back to the phone. That's the world's worst feeling! I also love how you describe the look in one's eyes when looking at someone ELSE (not me). That's another very relatable observation! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wesley Dingler]

I'm glad you liked it. Personally, if someone told me to hold, and never came back, I'd let them go at that. That's pretty crappy of them.
It's cool for me to rummage through my older work here and there. It seemed a lot less whimsical and more realistic back then. nowadays i think I write quite the opposite.

[barleygirl]

I think we all start out being very literal & linear, just like we speak! I've been at the cafe for 3 years, first trying to understand whimsical writing, then trying to be more whimsical myself! *smile*

[Ryan K. M.]

This kind of situation is the worst. It really stings when you want to be with someone in a very genuine way with them having the same feelings unable to reciprocate. This one definitely hits all the chords of the past 20-something in me.

[Wesley Dingler]

I'm certainly happy to hear that. Thanks, Ryan

[Tony Jordan]

I can relate to this Wes.
Finding 'The One' then finding they have another 'The One' and its not you.
It hurts.
Fate is a fickle mistress.
Well written.

[Wesley Dingler]

So it has been, my friend.